Opposition endorses Lungu
Published On April 18, 2016 » 6647 Views» By Bennet Simbeye » HOME SLIDE SHOW, PHOTOS OF THE WEEK, SHOWCASE
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By CHILA NAMAIKO –

• MMD Kasenengwa Member of Parliament (MP) Victoria Kalima addresses a public rally at Mpezeni Park in Chipata, where President Edgar Lungu had travelled at the weekend for various programmes as well as to address a public meeting.  Ms Kalima is among other opposition MPs that have endorsed Mr Lungu’s candidature for the August 11 general elections.

• MMD Kasenengwa Member of Parliament (MP) Victoria Kalima addresses a public rally at Mpezeni Park in Chipata, where President Edgar Lungu had travelled at the weekend for various programmes as well as to address a public meeting. Ms Kalima is among other opposition MPs that have endorsed Mr Lungu’s candidature for the August 11 general elections.

THIRTEEN opposition political parties have unanimously endorsed the candidature of President Edgar Lungu ahead of the August 11 general elections.
The parties have since formed a National Opposition Alliance (NOA) with the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) to mobilise and campaign for the re-election of Mr Lungu.
The parties are Zambia Direct Democracy Movement (ZDDM), Christian Democratic Party (CDP), Zambia Development Conference (ZDC), New Congress Party (NCP), National Party (NP) and the Citizen Democratic Party (CDP).
Others are Party for Unity Democracy and Development (PUDD), Humanity Party (HP), United Party for Democracy and Development (UPDD), National Democratic Party (NDP), Common Cause Democracy (CCD), All Peoples Congress (APC) and the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP).
Speaking during the launch of NOA at Chrismar Hotel in Lusaka yesterday, interim president Edwin Sakala said the party leaders met with President Lungu on Friday last week to officially adopt him as their preferred presidential candidate.
“This, members of the Press, is beyond just endorsement, but adoption which will see a long-term working relationship with PF, while maintaining our individual political parties’ identity and ideologies,” he said.
Mr Sakala, who is ZDDM president, said President Lungu had performed well and that the political parties would firmly support him.
On the modalities for adoption of parliamentary, mayoral, chairperson and councillor candidates, he said the matter would be discussed and agreed upon with the PF and the nation would be informed.
Meanwhile, NOA has condemned political violence, hate speech and character assassination against Mr Lungu.
Mr Sakala said NOA would promote issue-based campaigns while walking in the light of God and encouraging all the people of Zambia to respect each other.
NOA spokesperson Dan Pule said the parties were impressed with Mr Lungu for championing Christian principles, citing the earmarked project to construct the National House of Prayer.
Dr Pule commended the Government for the completion of many infrastructure projects and other on-going projects such as roads, hospitals and schools aimed at improving the citizens’ welfare.
NCP leader Peter Chanda said NOA’s focus was to foster unity and ensure Mr Lungu was re-elected to continue with his agenda to develop the country.
PF information committee member Sunday Chanda, who spoke on behalf of party secretary general Davies Chama, said the formation of NOA signified that Mr Lungu meant well for the people of Zambia.
Mr Chanda said the PF was committed to fostering more programmes of development and urged Zambians to condemn politicians instigating hate speech.

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